Game

ABSTRACT

Game apparatus comprising a game board having a number of game stations forming a primary path for movement of game markers toward a goal and forming a number of longer alternate paths from one game station of the primary path to another game station thereof. The game apparatus also includes a die for determining movement of the markers along the path and a chance device in the form of means for reproducing a sound message for determining beneficial negotiation of the longer alternate paths. The object of the game is to be the only player to occupy a path station while the remaining players occupy the goal position at the end of the path. A target receptacle is disposed on the board having a constricted lower portion suitable for receiving only the first of several projectiles thrown into the receptacle by the players when a predetermined message is emitted by the sound message device.

I Unlted States Patent in] 3,594,001

[72] Inventors M r in I- l s 93L90l 1 H1947 France 273/135 J ff y r l o h f hic g lll- [134,147 [1/1968 Great Britain 273/134 I969 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Pammed July Attorneys-James F. Coffee and Gerald M. Newman {73] Assignee I Marvin GlassSz Associates v,

Chlcago ABSTRACT: Game apparatus comprising-a game board having a number of game stations forming a primary path for movement of game markers toward a goal and forming a [54] GAME number of longer alternate paths from one game station of the 3 Claims, 4 Qrawing Figs. primary path to another game station thereof. The game ap- [52] US. Cl ..l 273/134 B, Params also includes a die for deiel'mlning movemgm of 273/105 R 274/7 markers along the path and a chan cedevice in the form of [51] lnLCI -A63f 3/02 [means for reproducing a Sound message for determining 50 Field of Search 273/134 beneficial alternate Paths- The biect of the game is to be the only player to occupy a path station [56] References Ci d while the remaining players occupy the goal position at the UNITED STATES PATENTS End of the path Asalrget receptacle is dgspct sed on the bOalid avm a constncte ower ortion suita e or receivin on y 2/l925 Lorgnz 273/134 the flit of several projectil es thrown into the recepta le by FOREIGN PATENTS the players when a predetermined message is emitted by the 231,281 2/ 1959 Australia sound message device.

PA TENTEB JUL 20 um M w ug 4 O INVENTOQS A/MPW/V 61,455

GAME

This invention relates in general to board games. In particular, this invention is directed to a board game wherein the reflex reactions of the game players are tested and wherein the game players desirably resist making progress along a game path.

Board games utilizing various apparatus such as a stack of playing cards, objectsfor movement about or placement upon the playing board; and chance means such as picking an instructional card from a stack, rotating a spinner, or throwing a pair of dice, are well known in the game art. Typically, the object of these prior art board games is to be the first player to negotiate the entire length of the path to its terminal point or goal.

This invention provides a board game having a number of alternate game paths wherein the objective is not to make progress along the pathand thus to be the only player occupying the path while the remaining players occupy a goal position. In addition to the game board, the apparatus of the invention includes a first chance device in the manner of a die for determining movement of game markers along the path, a number of projectiles suitable for being simultaneously thrown into a receptacle having a narrow construction for determining which of the projectileswas first thrown into the receptacle, and a second chance device in the form of random sound message. means for indicating the various alternate paths the players may negotiate.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is. to provide a novel game apparatus wherein the game players desirably fail to make progress along a game path.

Another object of this invention is to provide a board game wherein the reflex reactions and throwing skill of the game players are tested.

A further object of this invention is to provide a game board bearing a number of game stations forming a primary game path and a number of additional game stations forming a plurality of longer, alternate game paths wherein the players desirably negotiate the alternate game paths in moving toward a goal position.

Additional objects of this invention will become apparent to those versed in the art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the game apparatus and play sequence taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the game apparatus is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the in vention including a game board 50, having a target receptacle 51, a plurality of game cards 52, chance means 54 and an audible sound message device comprising a sound track 16 and a sound reproducing device l8; reproducing means 18 taken along line 2-2 thereof as shown in FIG. 1, and also including an enlarged elevational view of the track I6;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the sound reproducing means 18; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of target receptacle 51.

Referring to FIG. I of the drawings the game apparatus generally comprises a game board 50 having a primary game path 61 including a goal position 88 and a number oflonger alternate game paths which the game players may negotiate in accordance with various chance devices and apparatus involving the reflexive reactions and throwing skill of the game players. The latter apparatus includes a receptacle 51 having a constriction 53 for receiving only one of several projectiles 56 thrown by the game players. The chance devices comprise a die for determining movement of game markers along stations defining the game path and a sound reproduction device having random-sound messages which regulate the game play by enabling negotiation of a longer game path and by indicating use of the projectiles and the receptacle. The object of the game is not to make progress along the path and thus to be the only player occupying a station forming the path, while the remainingplayers occupy the goal.

Referring now to FIGS. I, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the game apparatus includes audible sound message means comprising a sound track 16 and a sound reproducing device 18 which are described in detail, in a copending U.S. Pat. application filed by Marvin I. Glass et al. on Jan. 9, I969 and bearing U.S. Pat. Office Ser. No. 790,002.

Generally, sound track 16 comprises a sound strip having a plurality of vertically modulated, closely spaced rectilinear parallel sound grooves 38 which are irregular in depth and transmit vibratory oscillations to a stylus 40 of sound reproducing device 18 responsive to movement of the device along the length of the track. The sound grooves are recorded with a number ofdifferent game play regulating messages and the close spacing makes it difficult for a game player to locate a particular message which would be beneficial to his game play turn. I

Sound reproducing device 18 includes an outer housing 20 enclosing a voice cone for amplifier, not shown, which is coupled to the stylus 40 and vibrated thereby to clearly reproduce the sound messages. The reproducing device is guided along the track to insure rectilinear movement thereof and to enable repeat of an indistinctly reproduced message, by a number of parallel undulations 42 formed in a bottom wall 43 of housing 20. The undulations cooperate with the upper surfaces of a pair of parallel guide rails 45 provided along opposite sides of track 16 to provide for straight line [movement of device 18 relative to grooves 38.

lnaddition to the sound device and the game board 50, the game apparatus also includes a plurality of game cards-52, a chance device in the form of a die 54, and a number of game markers 58. Target receptacle SI simulates a bathtub, and the projectiles 56- are spherically shaped and simulate balls of soap. One game marker and one soap projectile are distributed to each game player and they are appropriately colored so that a player may be identified by a particular color. 7

The game board has a plurality of rectangularly shaped game stations 60 forming a rimary path 61 for movement of markers 58. The primary path extends generally about the periphery of the board and substantially encloses a central board area 62 wherein target receptacle 5] may be disposed;

A number of circularly shaped game stations 64 are arranged on the central board area to form a plurality of longer alternate paths, such as alternate paths 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76, between different pairs of spaced-apart game stations 60. For example, as shown in the right hand corner of-the game board, a game player may qualify to negotiate alternate game path 76 which comprises seven circular game stations 64, instead of negotiating a parallel segment of primary path 6l which comprises only three of the game stations 60. Thus, the alternate game paths provide a greater number of game stations which, on the average, will require a greater number of game turns for negotiating than if the game player merely negotiated the primary game path. As noted above, the object of the game is not to make progress along the game path and thus not to occupy a goal position located at anend of the path.

Each of the alternate paths, 66, 63, 70, 72, 74, and 76 is identified by different indicia which may take the form of a caricature illustration 80 and a related written caption 82, such as I am not dirty," I don't feel good, and other similar captions comprising typical excuses of a small boy who does not wish to take a bath.

The game stations forming the primary game path include a first end station, a second end station forming a goal position, and a starting station or position 84 intermediate the two end stations. Goal position 88 includes an illustration of a bathtub which symbolically indicates that the game player has achieved the undesirable position of taking a bath. The game stations of the primary path also have a number of colored stations 90 which each denote an entrance to an alternate game path. A player whose marker occupies any of the stations 90 is allowed to negotiate the adjacent, alternate path, which as noted above, generally requires a greater number of game turns.

The primary and secondary game paths include a plurality of randomly disposed station indicia in the manner of large black dots 92 which indicate that the player whose marker lands thereon must use the sound message chance device 18 to elicit an instructional message which regulates the game play. Seven different messages for regulating the game play are provided on sound strip 16. Six of these messages are correlated to the captions 82 and illustrations 80 of the six different alternate game paths. The remaining game message is special and may take the form of the phrase Get in that Tub. Upon reproducing this special message, each of the game players is required to quickly pick up his soap ball 56 and throw it into receptacle 51. The receptacle, which simulates a bathtub includes a narrow or constricted portion 53 simulating the bathtub drain. The first player to throw his soap into the receptacle, as determined by the particular soap occupying the bottom of the drain, is rewarded in a manner to be described below.

Die 54 is utilized to indicate the number of game stations which a marker 58 may be moved along either the primary or a secondary path during each player's turn. The markers are moved a number of game stations equal to the number of spots appearing on the upper surfaces of the die.

Finally, the game apparatus of the invention includes the game cards 52 or similar game pieces such as chips, each of which is correlated to one alternate path. The correlation between a card and an alternate path may be denoted by the illustration 80 and caption 82 of the alternate path being printed on a surface of a card. These cards may be referred to as excuse cards since they are utilized by the game players as an excuse for not taking a bath as simulated by allowing the game players to negotiate an alternate path. In certain situations in the play of the game, a player may qualify to backtrack along the primary path beyond the starting position 84 in order to negotiate alternate paths 66 or 68.

As noted above, in the play of the game the object is for the game players to resist taking a bath by being the only player not to occupy the bathtub goal 88, while each of the other players occupy the goal. The one game player whose marker remains on a game. path while the other markers occupy the goal is deemed the winner.

Initially, twelve excuse cards or pieces 52 are equally distributed among the game players. Each game player chooses a color identifiable game marker 58 and a similarly colored ball of soap 56. All of the markers are initially placed at the starting position 84 which is intermediate the ends of the primary game path. Each game player in turn throws the die and moves his marker the number of indicated spaces along the primary path in a counterclockwise direction toward goal position 88. If a player occupies any one of the colored game stations 90 which comprises an entrance to an alternate game path, he may negotiate that alternate path. Due to the greater number of game stations along-the alternate paths as compared to the parallel primary game path, negotiation of the alternate path is beneficial since it will generally require a greater number of game turns.

lfa player lands on a black dot 92, one of which is also provided at goal position 88, that player operates the sound message means to reproduce a game message. lf the reproduced sound message is correlated with an illustration 80 and a caption 82 of an alternate game path, the player has an opportunity of going to the beginning of that alternate path provided the player has an excuse card 52 which is also correlated to the alternate path, and if he is willing to play the card. By playing the excuse card, it is placed on top of the illustration of the appropriate path, and cannot be used again during the game. By playing the excuse card, the player proceeds to take the longer alternate path to goal 88, and depending upon the message played and the excuse card possessed, may even be able to backtrack along the path to a point further remote from the goal than starting position 84.

If, in operating sound message device 18 the player reproduces the special message, Get in that Tub," each of the game pla ers must throw their ball of soap 56 into the target receptac e. The first player whose soap occupies drain 53 of the receptacle is allowed to appropriate one excuse card 52 from any other game player. The appropriation must be done blindly, that is, without previously viewing the game card.

When a player enters goal position 88 he is allowed to operate the sound reproducing device during each of his game turns since that station contains a black dot 92. If the game player holds an excuse card 52 which is correlated to the message reproduced, the player may play the card and proceed to the particular alternate path denoted by the reproduced message. Should the player fail to hold the correct excuse card, he simply remains at the goal position. When all of the players except one occupy the goal position, the player who does not occupy the goal is deemed the winner.

What has been described is a novel game apparatus including a game board bearing a number of alternate game paths and chance means for regulating negotiation of the various paths.

While the embodiment of the game apparatus of the invention has been described with respect to a bathtub goal and excuses for negotiating a longer path to the goal position, other motifs may be used, such as not going to school or refusing to go to sleep.

It is obvious that upon study by those versed in the art, the disclosed invention may be altered or modified in other manners without departing from its inventive concept.

We claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising a game board having a number of game stations forming a primary path for movement of game markers toward a goal position, additional game stations forming a number of alternate paths from one game station of the primary path to another station thereof, each of said alternate paths including path-identifying indicia, a number of game pieces distributable to the game players and each bearing indicia correlated to one path indicia, a first chance means for determining movement of markers along the game stations, a second chance means comprising sound reproducing means operable to reproduce recorded sound messages correlated to the path indicia, a plurality of projectiles, and a target receptacle disposed on said board for receiving projectiles thrown by the players responsive to the random reproduction of a given sound message, said target receptacle having a constricted lower portion suitable for receiving only the first of said received projectiles.

2. Game apparatus as set forth in claim I, wherein said primary path is disposed adjacent the outer edges of a rectangular board, each of said alternate paths extends inwardly on the board from a first station on the primary path to a second station on the primary path, and said alternate paths each include a greater number of stations than exist on the primary path between said first and second stations.

3. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target receptacle simulates a bathtub and the constricted lower portion simulates the drain, and said projectiles are simulated soap balls. 

1. Game apparatus comprising a game board having a number of game stations forming a primary path for movement of game markers toward a goal position, additional game stations forming a number of alternate paths from one game station of the primary path to another station thereof, each of said alternate paths including path-identifying indicia, a number of game pieces distributable to the game players and each bearing indicia correlated to one path indicia, a first chance means for determining movement of markers along the game stations, a second chance means comprising sound reproducing means operable to reproduce recorded sound messages correlated to the path indicia, a plurality of projectiles, and a target receptacle disposed on said board for receiving projectiles thrown by the players responsive to the random reproduction of a given sound message, said target receptacle having a constricted lower portion suitable for receiving only the first of said received projectiles.
 2. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said primary path is disposed adjacent the outer edges of a rectangular board, each of said alternate paths extends inwardly on the board from a first station on the primary path to a second station on the primary path, and said alternate paths each include a greater number of stations than exist on the primary path between said first and second stations.
 3. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target receptacle simulates a bathtub and the constricted lower portion simulates the drain, and said projectiles are simulated soap balls. 